Sinker control means for circular knitting machines



6 Sheets-Sheet l MAXWELL P. DO DDS H. LAWSON ETAL `SINKER CONTROL MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES /fd fr l zf Z9 if@ fao Dec. 19, 1950 Filed Feb. 7, 1949 R. H. LAWSON ETAL SINKER CONTROL MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 19, 195o Flled Feb 7, 1949 sINKER oNTRoL MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES 6 Sheets-SheecI 3 Filed Feb. 7. 1949 97.5 gaa Inl/ein Z'ors i E, ROBERT H. LAWSON MAXWELL P. DoDDs y kezr aorneys Dec. 19, 1950 R. H. LAwsoN -ETAL 2,534,460

SINKER CONTROL MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTINGMACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 7, 1949 73 .faz

NS OD5 SDH sWOM rADr mL m n .Pd eHLw [-.z UTEe non h IEW? ,BX@ OA RM R. H. LAWSON EVAL SINKER CONTROL MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Dec. 19, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 7, 1949 TclZ.

In ven ar N O m .A L H. T R E B O R S D D O D P. L L E. W X A M Dec. 19, 1950 R H LAWSON ETAM 2,534,460

SINKER oNTRoL MEANS FoR CIFCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. '7, 1949 Ves sheets-sheet e ROBERT H. LAWSON MAXWELL P DODDS Patented Dec. 19, 1950 SINKER CONTROL MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNI'ITING MACHINES Robert H. Lawson, Lakeport, and Maxwell P. Dodds, Laconia, N. H., assignors to Scott & Williams, Incorporated, Laconia, N. H., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 7, 1949, Serial No. 74,868

(Cl. (i6- 107) 13 Claims. l

This invention relates to sinker control means for circular knitting machines and more particularly to a variable sinker stop. The invention is concerned with machines having independent, radially movable sinkers. In high-speed circular knitting machines for making ladies stockings of fine gauge, the smallest variations in movement 0f the parts of the machine produce streaks in the fabric. Even after stitches have been drawn and knocked over it is still possible for imperi fections in the stitches to be caused by variations in sinker action. It is the object of this invention to eliminate this influence that causes streaks in the fabric after the needles have passed through the stitch-forming cams. After the needles leave the knitting wave, i. e., have passed through the stitch-forming cams, there is a period when the sinkers ordinarily are allowed to press against the stitches under pressure of the usual spring band. This period usually continues until it is time for the sinkers to be withdrawn again to put the old stitches in the throats of the sinkers. Non-uniformity of positioning of adjacent sinkers during this period sometimes occurs, and

streaks result. To overcome this we have proif:

vided, in combination with the spring band, xed means which limit the extent to which the sinkers can move radially inward. However, circular stockings are generally shaped by changing the length of stitch. This means that it is highly I inadvisable to use a plain, permanently set stop for the innermost position of the sinkers. We therefore have constructed a rigid sinker stop effective for the part of the circumference of the needle circle outside the sinker retracting point. i.

It is here that the old stitches are placed in the throats of the sinkers. Our stop can be varied to limit or stop the sinkers in different inward positions. For this purpose our novel stop itself is vertically variable relatively to the other parts of the machine, yet radially xed. In spite of this, our stop is radially movable in its effect on the sinkers. It eliminates nonuniformity in the actions of adjacent sinkers in making the' fabric, yet varies its radial effect onv the sinkers as the stitch length changes. In this way we make certain that regardless of the length of stitch drawn, the sinkers in their inward positions will apply only a delinite pre-arranged pressure against the stitches throughout the knitting cycle.

The sinker stop itself is shown in the forni of: a ring having its upper edge turned outwardly in the form of a lip. This lip is of uniform size all around the ring. Its outerv edge is bevelled in f the manner and for the purpose hereinafter explained and it is designed to Contact the sinkers and afford the uniform radially stationary edge against which the sinkers come when at their radially inward position. The ring or stop in the embodiment shown rotates with the sinkers and needle cylinder. However, owing to the bevel, the only movement that our sinker stop uses to give radial variation of the inward stop position of the sinkers is a vertical movement.

In our sinker control the adjustment of the sinker stop is made by relative vertical movement. To translate the vertical movement into radial adjustment of the inward position of the sinkers, two contacting bevel surfaces may be provided. One is on the stop itself and the other on the individual sinkers. When one bevel surface is moved vertically with relation to the other surface, the eective position of the stop is changed. While two bevels are preferable, only one is theoretically essential.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a vertical section through the needle cylinder and associated parts of an independent needle circular knitting machine for making stockings, in which our invention has been embodied. The iigure shows our novel sinker stop set for a short stitch adjustment.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the sinker stop of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the holding ring of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section of the two ends of the fastening sleeve.

Figure 5 is a vertical section through the lock ring for the fastening sleeve of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the sinker stop of Fig, 2.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the holding ring of Fig. 3.

Figure 8 is a detail view in vertical section through one side of the top of the needle cylinder and the sinker stop of Fig. 1, showing the parts adjusted for making a short stitch.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the parts with an intermediate stitch adjustment.

`Figure l0 is a view of the parts of Figs. 9 and 8 showing the relative positions o f the sinker and stop which give a long stitch.

Figure il is a side elevation, from the right side of the machina-of the lower part of the inachine of Fig. 1. showing the two stitch length adjusting mcanswhich move the needle cylinder vertically, the parts being shown just after the ankle has been knit.

Figure 12 is a front view of so much of the machine as shows the parts of Fig. 1l.

Figure 13 is a View in elevation of the stitch graduating cam of Figs. 1l and 12 as seen from the left side of the machine.

Figure 14 is a cut-away perspective view of such parts of the main head and pattern drum as are necessary to illustrate a modied form of our invention in which the sinker stop is adjusted vertically from the main pattern drum independently of the needle cylinder.

In the drawings the invention is shown embodied in the well-known Scott & Williams Model K circular independent needle knitting machine with revolving needle cylinder 283 containing a circle of independent latch needles N moving vertically in slots 26! around the outside of the cylinder. The machine has the usual webholders or sinkers S supported by an outside sinker ring 295 and cylinder top 248 which are movable vertically with the needle cylinder. The usual sinker cap 3DG provides cams for moving the sinkers radially when the needles are passing through the knitting wave. Resilient means are supplied, as usual, tending to press the sinkers radially inward. This is a spring band 29d which engages against each sinker. In the embodiments shown in the drawings the lower legs 29| of the sinkers project into a closed slot 248 in the cylinder top 248. This slot may, if desired, be of Such a depth that when the sinker is projected radially inward to the greatest extent that is needed during the manufacture of a stocking, the end of the lower leg 291 will contact the bottom of the slot, thus insuring that the stop will prevent the sinker from moving in any further. As will be hereinafter explained, this feature may not always be necessary since the inward movement of the sinkers can be controlled wholly by the sinker stop.

The novel sinker stop 213 is a ring mounted inside the needle cylinder d. It has an out- Wardly-ared lip with a bevel 212 on its edge. The lower end of the stop is screwed into a holding ring 214. The holding ring rests on top of the sleeve 251 of the main head gear ring or sleeve gear 3G. This sleeve gear rests on the lower bedplate B and. does not move vertically. In this way the sleeve gear provides a xed elevation from which the vertical position of the sinker stop can be set. These means to adjust or set this level comprise a pin or button 215 carried on a spring 215 fastened on the inside of the sinker stop. The button projects through an opening in the Wall of the stop. To cooperate with this spring-pressed button there are a series of slots 211 in the upper end of the holding ring. These slots face inwardly at spaced points all around the ring (Figs. 3 and '7). As the sinker stop is screwed down into the holding ring, the button and spring are held inward out or" action by a hand tool. When the stop reaches the proper position the button is released and drops into one of the locking slots.

The holding ring is held down on the sleeve 25d of the sleeve gear 3S by a fastening tube or sleeve 218 screwed to the bottom of the holding ring. This sleeve extends down to a point slightly below the bottom of the sleeve gear. On the lower end of the fastening sleeve is a lock ring or nut 219. This grips the bottom of the sleeve gear and keeps the holding ring down on top of the gear. The sleeve gear 3B, needle cylinder 260, needles N, sinkers S and sinker stop 213 revolve together.

The translation of the relative movement of the needle cylinder and sinker stop into a radial adjustment is obtained by the bevel 212 on the lip or periphery of the sinker stop and preferably also the complemental bevel 293 on the upper legs 290 of the sinkers S. In the drawings the direction of the bevel on these two elements is upward and radially inward toward the center of the machine at an angle of 55 from the vertical, the angle being preferably the same on the two elements. Also, we have shown the two bevels as of the same length, but it should be understood that they can be of different lengths. With the bevels in the embodiment shown it will be seen that when the Vertical separation between the top of the needle cylinder and the sinker stop is lessened, the distance that the spring band 29d.

f will be able to press the sinkers radially inward before engaging the bevel 283 on the sinker stop is increased. The higher the sinker stop is relatively to the needle cylinder, the further out the sinkers will be held by the lip of the stop. With f, the angle of the bevels set at 55 from the Vertical,

it should also be noted that a change of adjustment will not give a linear change in position of the sinker which is in the ratio of l to 1 to the vertical movement. Instead, with an angle of 55, the ratio will be approximately a movement of 11/2 for the sinker to 1 for the needle cylinder or stop. Thus if a relative movement between the needle cylinder and the stop were .011 in the embodiments shown in the drawings, the change in position of the sinkers radially would be approximately .0157.

1n Figs. 1 to 13 we have shown the relative adjustment of the stop operated by two means which cause change in stitch length through movement of the needle cylinder. The mechanism with which the sinker stop is able to cause the sinkers to give the uniform tension during graduation of the stitch length from calf to ankle is of the general type of mechanism set forth in the Robert W. Scott et al. Patent No.

1,569,532, dated January l2, 1926. In this mechanism graduation is obtained by a stitch graduating cam 284 on the left end of the shaft 6G carrying the pattern chain and belt shipper drum of the regular Scott a Williams automatic inturned welt hosiery knitting machine. The belt shipper drum shaft 8f3 rotates only once for each stocking produced and therefore moves too slowly to give all the changes in stitch length between the calf and the ankle. Therefore, associated with this cam 284 is a rack wheel 285 and a timing disk or plate 281 turning with the rack wheel. The stitch graduating cam itself is free to rotate independently of the shaft and has a pin 238 projecting laterally from its side into the path of an ear 236 on the timing plate 281. The cam and rack wheel rotate together. The timing plate rotates with the shaft B53. rThe shaft 88 causes the pin 238 to be pushed by the timing plate when the stitches are to be graduated from the calf to the ankle. The shaft is used to start the stitch graduating cam on its rotation, and the rack wheel 285 completes the rotation of the cam. The periphery of the rack wheel is toothed eX- cept for a portion corresponding to the end or lowest point of the stitch graduating cam. When a pawl has brought the rack wheel around to this blank portion of the latters periphery, the cam and rack wheel stand still till the ear 285 on the timing plate again catches up with the pin 283 the There is a rackingy pawl' 'i3' actuated froml the usual qua'drantfTS by'anoperating lever 14 pivoted on the main frameA ofv the machine. The-pawl is reciprocating Whenever the' machine is running and will finish the rotation of the stitch graduating cam wheneverl the ear on the timngplate 28T turns the rack wheel far enough to engage the rst tooth.

The heights of the stitch graduati'ny camV periphery are transmitted to the cylinder raising A lever 282 engages .a stitch regulating lever 28| pivotally mounted on the frame A ofthe machine. This latter lever transmitsv the changes in elevation ofthe screw 283 to the usual cylinder raising tube` 280. The cylinder raising tube is movable vertically, guided in a depending flangel 259 on the lower'bedplate B of the machine. The upper end of the cylinder'` raising tube' engages against a ball-bearing ring assembly 258' which also slides vertically in the bedplate. ball-bearing assembly are cylinder raising pins 256 passing through holes 25T in the sleeve gear 30'. These pins directly support-the needle cylinder 260. The cylinder raising tube and needle cylinder thus move verticallyl in unison. Their bottom position can be used to determine the length of the shortest ankle stitches, if desired. A screw can be provided'to adjust this position, as usual'.

In the embodiment of Figs; l to 13 the changes in stitch length other than those originatingwith the describedstitch graduating cam can, if desired, loek obtained from the main pattern drum 20 by means of the stitch regulating lever 2f8l. For example, if four separate and' independent ad'- justments of the length of stitch are desired to be obtained by Vertical movement of the needle 'cylinder independently of the stitch graduatix-ig cam, four cam positions are used on the main pattern drum. By using" drum calms" 5B1, 502, 583, 534', these four adjustmentsA can be of any' size compared to each other. Thefdifferent heights of these drum cams are given directly to the stitch regulating lever 28|. These are stitches which are usually for knitting the' Welt, heel, toe, etc'. The drum cams 51M in the rstdrum cam path at the left in Fig. l2 are for the stitch adjustment inthe heel and toe. The cam 502 in the next path is for the. welt.- In Figs. ll and'v l2V the stitch regulating lever has= ridden off the welt cam, the leg has been completed and the knitting of the ankle is completed. C'am 503 in the next-path is for the gusset in the. toe, andi cam 554 in the last path is forthe ring toe. y

The constructionof theinech'anism of Figs; l' to l3` having beendescribed, its operation will now be. set forth. We shall' describe the operationl of' the machine assuming that the range of relative movements shown in. Figs. 8, Q'and l0" is to take care of the changes in stitch length by the stitch graduating cam 284-' and' also the extra long stitches used', for" example; in the' welt, etc.

When the drum cam 502 for:v the weltilrst' engagestheend cfthestitch regulatingleverltl the.

Resting on top of the Y needle cylinder willbe raised' to its highest'A posi,- tion, namely, that shown in Fig. 1U. This gives the maximum distanceV between the stitch cams and the knocking-over ledge 292 ofthe sinkers, aside from moving the stitch cams, and therefore draws the longest stitch. It also will be noted that the sinkers' Swill be pushed in by the spring band 294 at this time to the innermost position which they arey to occupy during the makingl of the stocking. The sinker stop being, in effect, radiallymovable and yet being a rigid structure ii-rmly held in a radial direction, it acts as a positive stop for the sinkers and gives complete uniformity of position for them at the inward ends of their strokes. When the machine has knit the entire Weltvand is ready to begin the leg, the pat# tern drum is racked ahead and the stitch regulating leverA rides off the end of' the Welt drum cam 502'. On this same rack the belt shipper drum shaft 80, acting through the ear 28S of the timing plate 28T-and the pin 288, turns the rack Wheel 265 and stitch graduating cam 284 till the screw 283 rides up on the highest part of theY cam. Control of the stitch length and ofthe relative elevations of the needle cylinder and sinker' stop now lies in the stitch graduating cam for the knitting of the. leg. However, the rack wheel is not turned far enough for its teeth to be engaged by the pawl 13 until a subsequent rack of thebelt shipper shaft turns the timing. plate further.

When the. pattern chain has advanced to a point where the stitch graduating device is to begin to' graduate the stitch length, the ear 286l will be racked further and the rack wheel' 285 will be pushed around until the'pawl 13 can catch the first tooth on the periphery of the rack wheel. At this pointthe cylinder raising tube and. needle cylinder will not be higher than during thelwelt. The position, for example, would generally be an intermediate one, though not necessarily thev in termediate position shown in Fig. 9. As the rack;- ing' pawl 13 continues reciprocating, the rack wheel and stitch graduating cam are rotated togetherV for something less than one revolution from the high point of the cam to the lowl point. Asialready indicated, the shape of the cam is such that the stitches will become smaller as the caml advances, causing agradual tightening ofv the stitches in the stocking as the ankle is approached. Shortly before the stitch graduating mechanism completes its operation, the cylinder raising tube reaches its lowermost position and the adjusting screw 283 in the stitch graduating. lever loses` contact with the stitch graduating cam and lies idle in the recess between the end and the beginning of the cam (see Fig. l1). It stillA is in this'position when the pawl has racked the Wheely around`r to a blank position where the wheel has no more teeth on which it can act. The relation of the needle cylinder, sinker stop and sinkers may, for example, now be that shown in Fig. 8, with the needle cylinder in its lowermost position and the, inward adjustmentof the sinkers at itsI outermost setting. The sinker' therefore is pushingV on the shortest stitch. The positions of the parts may be different at this time and still fall? Withinthescope ofthe invention.

The control of the stitch length now is in th main pattern drum I2!!l and remains there for the balance ofthe stocking, except during the foot when the length of the stitch may, if desired, be controlled by the bottom position ofthe cylinder rais-ingy tube.

While in the embodiment of Figs. l to 1'3 the stop actu-ally is? vertically-med with relation to ,may

the bedplateof the machine and the needle cylinder moves vertically, it is possible for the invention to be carried out by making the needle cylinder' vertically stationary and moving the stop vertically, as shown in Fig. 14. In both cases it is relative vertical movement between the sinker stop and the sinkers which occurs.

- It is also possible to carry out the invention by having the needle cylinder and the stop both vertically movable. In this case the control mechanisms of Figs. 11, 12 and 13 could be added to the mechanism of Fig. 14, and the movements of the two parts might be simultaneous or successive. If they were simultaneous the eect would be to cause greater or lesser change in the radially innermost position of the sinker compared to the needle cylinder movement alone. If, for example,- the two movements were opposite, the change would be greater than from the needle cylinder alone. pressure may be varied for different lengths of stitches. It may also be desirable to use this'arrangement to varythe pressure on stitches made of different material, Whether of the same length or not. v

If -the vertical movements of the needle cylinder and stop were successive, it would be possible to cause a movement of the stop when the needle cylinder was stationary. This would enable a change of length of stroke of the sinkers to be made at a time when the stitch length was not being changed. It would also make possible the elimination of streaks While knitting stitches of a greater variation in length than would be obtainable from needle cylinder movement alone. In this case the additional change in stitch length would be made by moving the stitch cams.'

It will be obvious that such adjustments can be coordinated with vertical movements of the stitch cams 2li. pressure of the sinkers for different lengths of stitches could be the resultant ofl the movements of the three elements, namely, sinker stop, needle cylinder and stitch cams. By making the stitch cams add to or subtract from the cylinder stitch length, the cylinder can be forced to make a lesser or greater' movement, respectively, to get a given stitch length. In turn this revision of needle cylinder movement causes a lesser or greater change in sinker movement, respectively, and a corresponding alteration in sinker pressure.

In Fig. 14: we have indicated diagrammatically mechanism by which the sinker stop itself can be moved from drum cams on thernain pattern drum 129. In the first place, this construction can be used in place of obtaining adjustment of the sinker pressure by movement of the needle cylinder. However, since vertical movement of the sinker stop does not directly affect the length of the stitch, it will be obvious that vertical movement of the sinker stop gives effects not obtainable by moving either the needle cylinder or the stitch cam vertically. Thus the mechanism shown in Fig. 14 makes it possible to vary the pressure on the sinkers and stitches in the throats of the sinkers independently of the stitch drawing movements of the needles. This is true regard- .less of any changes in the stitch length obtained by moving the needle cylinder or the stitch cams.

In the construction of Fig. 14 the sinker stop is carried by a fastening sleeve H8 which is similar to the fastening sleeve 218 of Figs. 1-13. However, there is no lock ring 219 at the lbottom of the sleeve and the latter has a sliding fit inside thesleeve gear 3Q. This fastening sleevell is n.

This is one Way in which, if desired, the

In this case variations in the against the stitches.

kept from rotation relativelyto the sleeve gear by keys ITS on the sleeve and corresponding key-- Ways on the upright sleeve of the gear 30. The fastening sleeve |78 extends below the sleeve gear, .terminating in a ball-bearing ring assembly |86. The independent vertical movement of the fastening sleeve H8 can be obtained from a lever |81 pivotally supported from an extension 182 on the bottom of the lower bedplate. One end of the lever i8! terminates in a yoke |83 which embraces the lower end of the ball-bearing ring assembly 18S. The other end of the pivoted lever I8| lies in the path of cam SSE on the main pattern drum 12S. This leverage is so arranged that when the drum cam engages the pivoted lever IBI the fastening sleeve lf3 and sinker stop are elevated. When the rever rides off the drum cam down onto the surface of the pattern drum, gravity, or, if desired, a spring, can be used to lower the fastening sleeve and sinker stop. The location, length andheight of the cam 595 are diagrammatic.

The lconstruction shown in Fig. 14 operates in a mannervsimilar to the operation of the mechanism in Figs. 1-13 While under the control of the pattern drum cams 5IN- 4, except that indications from one or more pattern drum cams are now transmitted to the sinker stop either instead of or independently of the needle cylinder.

The constructions of Figs. 1-13 and Fig. 14 can be combined in any of various manners, as previously suggested. If it were desired to confine the entire range of vertical movement of the needle cylinder to the graduating of the stitch between the caif and ankle of the stocking, the sinker stop could be moved by mechanism such as shown in Fig. 14 to take care of sinker pressures for stitches of varied length in other parts of the stocking. Thus the mechanism of Fig. 14 could .be employed to take care of sinker pressure for eXtra-length stitches .in the welt. In this'case the extra length of the stitches themselves could be obtained by vertical movement of the stitch cams by any of the usual well-known mechanisms. For example, this change in length of stitch could be controlled from the main pattern drum, thus coordinating mechanically the vertical movements of the stitch cams and the sinker stop.

By means of this invention we have not only retained the advantages of the pressure of the sinker band throughout the making of the stocking but have coordinated that advantage with a positive and uniform control when the sinkers are pressed against the stitches. This is done in a manner which, While it adjusts itself automatically to the necessary changes in stitch length, gives a fixed positioning of the sinkers in the dimension in which they are pressing It has been found that this invention is veryvaluable in eliminating streaks in all sizes of stitches in the stocking when they are caused by unequal or undue pressure of the sinkers after the needles have passed through 'the stitch-forming cams. It will be seen that regardless of the length of stitch drawn, the sinkers will apply only a definite pre-arranged pressure against thestitehes. vThe pressure is applied uniformly all the way: around the fabric regardless of` any irregular tendencies of thespring band or s-inkers, and therefore the needles can move up and down with uniformity and freedom.

What we claim is:

l. Sinker control means for a circular knitting machine comprising stitch-forming cams, a need-le cylinder, independent radially movable sinkers carried by the needle, cylinder, independent vertically movable needles, and resilient means adapted to press the sinkers radially inward, in combination with a positive stop for the sinkers adapted to insure that all sinkers be limited to the same inward depth throughout more than half the needle circle, and means adapted to vary the effective position of the stop relatively to the sinkers according to the part of the article being knit.

2. Sinker control means for a circular knitting machine comprising stitch-forming cams, a needle cylinder, independent radially movable sinkers carried by the needle cylinder, independent vertically movable needles, and resilient means adapted to press the sinkers radially inward, in combination with positive stop means for uniformly limiting the pressure of the sinkers against the fabric at their inward position, and means adapted to cause relative movement between the stop and the other parte of the machine from time to time, whereby a prearranged pressure is applied by the sinkers regardless of the length of stitch.

3. YSinker control means for a circular knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder, independent radially movable sinkers carried by the needle cylinder and needles movable vertically in the needle cylinder, a cam to retract the sinkers at the point where the old stitches are being placed in the throats of the sinkers, in combination with resilient means adapted to press the sinkers radially inward, an element associated with the needle cylinder adapted to act as a uniform inward stop for the sinkers for a circumferential distance subsequent to the needles leaving the retracting cam, and means adapted to cause relative vertical movement between the stop and the other parts of the machine, whereby a pre-arranged pressure is applied by the sinkers against the stitches regardless of change of length of stitch.

4. Sinker control means for a circular knitting machine comprising a needle cylinder, independent radially movable sinkers carried by the needle cylinder and needles movable vertically in the needle cylinder, resilient means adapted to press the sinkers radially inward and a cam to retract the sinkers at the point where the 01d stitches are being placed in the throats of the sinkers, in combination with an element inside the needle cylinder adapted to act as a uniform inward stop for the sinkers, and means adapted to cause relative vertical movement between the needle cylinder and the stop, whereby the effective radial position of the stop is varied.

5. Stitch regulating means for a circular knitting machine according to claim 4 in which the means causing relative vertical movement between the stop and needle cylinder is a means adapted to cause change in the length of stitch.

6. Stitch regulating means for a circular knitting machine according to claim 5 in which the stitch length adjusting means is connected to and moves the needle cylinder vertically.

7. Sinker control means for a circular knitting `machine according to claim 1 in which the stop has an angled bearing surface to adjust the effective radial position of the stop to the sinkers when there is relative vertical movement between the needle cylinder and the stop.

8. Stitch regulating means for a circular knitting machine according to claim 7 in which the angle of the bearing surface is other than 45 from the vertical, whereby the length of the radial change of the inward position of the sinkers is different from the length of a vertical movement causing the radial change.

9. Stitch regulating means for a circular knitting machine according to claim 1 in which the stop and the sinkers have complemental engaging bevelled surfaces, whereby variations in the relative levels of the sinkers and the stop vary the inward position of the sinkers.

10. Stitch regulating means for a circular knitting machine according to claim 9 in which the stop is radially fixed relatively to the sinkers at all elevations of the stop, whereby a uniform stop is obtained whose eiective radial position is ad- `instable.

1l. Stitch regulating means for a circular knitting machine according to claim 1 in which the needle cylinder is revoluble, the stop is a ring supported by and revolving with the cylinder, and the stop and sinkers have complemental engaging bevelled surfaces, the ring having an outwardly extending rib` on which the bevelled surface of the stop is 1ocated, whereby variations in the relative level of the sinkers and the stop alter the inward position of the sinkers.

12. Stitch regulating means for a circular knitting machine according to claim 1 in which the tween the needle cylinder and the stop which caused the radial change.

. 13. Stitch regulating means for a circular knitting machine according to claim 1 in which the means adapted to vary the eiective position of the stop relative to the sinkers includes at least a pattern drum and means operated thereby adapted to cause vertical movement relatively between the sinkers and the sinker stop.

ROBERT H. LAWSON. MAXWELL P. DODDS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,056,686 Mills Oct. 6, 1936 2,063,026 Bristow Dec. 8, 1936 2,436,904 Shea Mar. 2, 1948 

